FIFA to Consider Expanding 2030 World Cup to 64 Teams After Success of Smaller Nations

On 13 July 2026, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the football governing body will examine a proposal to expand the men’s World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 centenary tournament. Speaking to the Swiss news site Bluewin, Infantino indicated that the potential expansion would be discussed by FIFA’s relevant committees following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. The consideration follows the current 48-team competition in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, which Infantino described as a “huge success.” He noted that the expanded format has significantly benefited smaller football nations, providing them with the incentive to improve and compete on the world stage. Highlighting the impact on Indigenous and emerging footballing regions, Infantino pointed out that nine out of 10 African teams reached the knockout stage, a significant increase from previous tournaments. The proposal for a 64-team tournament has received strong backing from CONMEBOL, South America’s football confederation. CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez has championed the idea of a more inclusive tournament to mark the competition's 100th anniversary. Uruguayan Football Federation President Ignacio Alonso originally raised the suggestion during a FIFA Council meeting in March 2025. Infantino argued that the World Cup should be organised “for the whole world” rather than just traditional powers. The 2030 event is already planned to be highly diverse, with matches scheduled across six countries on three continents. While some officials in Europe and Asia have expressed concerns over the scale of such an expansion, the move is being framed by supporters as a vital step in democratising the sport and celebrating a century of global football.